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Llano del Muerto waterfall in El Salvador

Ecotourism is a form of tourism involving visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, intended as a low-impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial mass tourism. It means responsible travel to natural areas conserving the environment and improving the well-being of the local people.[1] Its purpose may be to educate the traveler, to provide funds for ecological conservation, to directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities, or to foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. Since the 1980s, ecotourism has been considered a critical endeavor by environmentalists, so that future generations may experience destinations relatively untouched by human intervention.[2]:33 Several university programs use this description as the working definition of ecotourism.[3]

Generally, ecotourism deals with interaction with biotic components of the natural environments.[4] Ecotourism focuses on socially responsible travel, personal growth, and environmental sustainability. Ecotourism typically involves travel to destinations where flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Ecotourism is intended to offer tourists an insight into the impact of human beings on the environment and to foster a greater appreciation of our natural habitats.

Responsible ecotourism programs include those that minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism on the environment and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, an integral part of ecotourism is the promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation, and creation of economic opportunities for local communities.[5] For these reasons, ecotourism often appeals to advocates of environmental and social responsibility.

The term 'ecotourism', like 'sustainable tourism', is considered by many to be an oxymoron. Like most forms of tourism, ecotourism generally depends on air transportation, which contributes to global climate change. Additionally, "the overall effect of sustainable tourism is negative where like ecotourism philanthropic aspirations mask hard-nosed immediate self-interest."[6]

hey thera

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Eco-tourism is when people travel to another country to support another countries environment and culture and to respect their wildlife and people

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Eco tourism is when people go to visit a place and do not damage the environment or the culture

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Eco-Tourism is where people travel to a place without damaging the wildlife environment and respecting the local cultural.

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travelling to natural areas outside of your usal enviroment and to support conservation eff

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Eco-tourism:
People go to a place to travel and protect the environment and respect the country’s etiquette.

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Eco-tourism is when people traveling from place to natural place without damaging the environment.

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Ecotourism is when people travelling also protecting the environment at the same time.
Viewing tourism with the main purpose of ecological protection

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Eco-tourism is when you travel to a place and make sure you don't damage but support and protect the environment and culture.

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Ecotourism is travelling to a exotic place or natural environment, keeping it clean and not damaging anything

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Ecotourism is traveling to an exotic place or natural Environment. People want to experience nature and the world but should try to do so in a way that doesn't have a bad impact in the natural environment.

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Ecotourism:
Tourism directed towards exotic natural environments, intended to support conservation efforts and observe wildlife.
It is also about protecting the people and their culture (way of life)

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travelling to natural areas outside of your usal enviroment and to support conservation efforts, be respectful to the enviroment, observe wildlife, support the local people and maintain the culture

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ecotourism is when you go to a place to protect the environment and culture
WHAT IS ECOTOURISM?

The Nature Conservancy adopts the definition articulated by the World Conservation Union (IUCN):

"Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features, both past and present) that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local peoples."

Most tourism in natural areas today is not ecotourism and is not, therefore, sustainable. Ecotourism is distinguished by its emphasis on conservation, education, traveler responsibility and active community participation. Specifically, ecotourism possesses the following characteristics:

Conscientious, low-impact visitor behavior

Sensitivity towards, and appreciation of, local cultures and biodiversity

Support for local conservation efforts

Sustainable benefits to local communities

Local participation in decision-making

Educational components for both the traveler and local communities

Increased tourism to sensitive natural areas without appropriate planning and management can threaten the integrity of ecosystems and local cultures. The increase of visitors to ecologically sensitive areas can lead to significant environmental degradation. Likewise, local communities and indigenous cultures can be harmed in numerous ways by an influx of foreign visitors and wealth. Additionally, fluctuations in climate, currency exchange rates, and political and social conditions can make over-dependence upon tourism a risky business.

However, this same growth creates significant opportunities for both conservation and local communities. Ecotourism can provide much-needed revenues for the protection of national parks and other natural areas -- revenues that might not be available from other sources.

Additionally, ecotourism can provide a viable economic development alternative for local communities with few other income-generating options. Moreover, ecotourism can increase the level of education and activism among travelers, making them more enthusiastic and effective agents of conservation.

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ecotourism

What does Ecotourism mean, and why should you care?

With advances in transportation and information technology, even the most remote places on Earth are within reach of the traveler. In fact, tourism is now the world's largest industry, with nature tourism the fastest growing segment.

People want to experience nature and the world, but should try to do so in a way that doesn't impact the natural environment.

In response to this increasing appreciation of nature experiences, a new travel ethic has arisen called ecotourism.

WHAT IS ECOTOURISM?

The Nature Conservancy adopts the definition articulated by the World Conservation Union (IUCN):

"Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features, both past and present) that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local peoples."

Most tourism in natural areas today is not ecotourism and is not, therefore, sustainable. Ecotourism is distinguished by its emphasis on conservation, education, traveler responsibility and active community participation. Specifically, ecotourism possesses the following characteristics:

Conscientious, low-impact visitor behavior

Sensitivity towards, and appreciation of, local cultures and biodiversity

Support for local conservation efforts

Sustainable benefits to local communities

Local participation in decision-making

Educational components for both the traveler and local communities

Increased tourism to sensitive natural areas without appropriate planning and management can threaten the integrity of ecosystems and local cultures. The increase of visitors to ecologically sensitive areas can lead to significant environmental degradation. Likewise, local communities and indigenous cultures can be harmed in numerous ways by an influx of foreign visitors and wealth. Additionally, fluctuations in climate, currency exchange rates, and political and social conditions can make over-dependence upon tourism a risky business.

However, this same growth creates significant opportunities for both conservation and local communities. Ecotourism can provide much-needed revenues for the protection of national parks and other natural areas -- revenues that might not be available from other sources.

Additionally, ecotourism can provide a viable economic development alternative for local communities with few other income-generating options. Moreover, ecotourism can increase the level of education and activism among travelers, making them more enthusiastic and effective agents of conservation.